Planning Commission recommends approval of Country Estates Second Edition preliminary plat with encroachment condition

The Woodbury City Planning Commission on Feb. 2 recommended approval of the Country Estates Second Edition preliminary plat, a proposal to subdivide an approximately 9.27-acre property east of Woodlane Drive and north of Woodlane Bay into three single-family lots of at least 3 acres each.

City staff member Gina presented the staff report, saying, “Mary Burt has submitted an application for a preliminary plat to be called Country Estates Second Edition,” and that the applicant proposes to subdivide the existing roughly 9.27-acre parcel into three new lots consistent with the R-2 Single Family Estate District. Gina told commissioners the area is guided as rural estate on the land-use plan, the lots would be served by private wells and septic systems, and that the engineering review determined the existing private roadway would remain private due to upgrade costs and limited driveway frontages.

The plat includes standards and constraints noted by staff: the zoning district’s 3-acre minimum lot size; a city-code limit that no more than 30% of significant trees may be removed without replacement; and a city code park-dedication fee of $4,000 per lot. Gina also said a neighborhood meeting on Jan. 7, 2026 drew two residents who asked about project timing and home locations.

Applicant Andy Burt, who identified himself as a property owner, told the commission, “the plan is to build on Lot 2 … we’re not doing anything with 1 and 3,” and confirmed his parents will retain Lots 1 and 3 while he will build on Lot 2.

Commissioners raised technical and procedural questions. Commissioner Gentile asked whether the tree-removal allowance for areas “established for home construction” includes driveways and septic drain fields; Gina answered that the allowance is broader than the home footprint and includes septic and driveway areas and that the environmental division reviewed the proposed removals and had no concerns. Commissioner Guzik pressed staff on drainage easements and noted what appeared to be a natural drainage path from Lot 2 to Lot 1 that could cross neighboring property; staff said engineering would perform a detailed review and that the standard 10-foot easement is typically sufficient but would be double-checked. Commissioner Seabrooks asked about emergency access on the private roadway; staff said the road has accommodated emergency vehicles for roughly 35 years and that the city reserved the right to convert it to public right-of-way if density increases.

Staff identified an existing turnaround encroachment near Lot 3. Eric (staff) read a drafted condition that would be required prior to final plat recording: “Either a private encroachment agreement shall be executed for the existing turnaround on Lot 3 or the turnaround shall be removed.” Commissioners accepted that language as the condition to address the encroachment.

A commissioner moved to approve project number 32-2025-00596 with the added condition regarding the driveway encroachment; another commissioner seconded. The commission approved the recommendation by voice vote, with those present saying “aye” and no opposition announced. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for a public hearing on Feb. 11.

The meeting then proceeded to a council report and routine minutes approval. The Planning Commission’s approval at this meeting is a recommendation to the City Council; final approval or modifications will occur at the council public hearing.